AALA

Midvisits is an easy to use intuative system – But training sessions will help you get to grips with the nuts and bolts of EVOLVE and the helpful reporting tools

Over the last few months Midlothian schools who attended our launch of the new Midvisits/EVOLVE planning and approval system have been moving their visit and excursion planning and visit approvals to the new system that also replaces the current EV1 form.

Many of our schools are now using as a record for all their offsite visits including those that require local approval and LA approval – The system provides an excellent one stop place for planning, approving and evaluation of the learning outcomes associated with your educational visits.

August – All remaining schools to join new Midvisits system

August – December – Transition period Midvisits

December 2015 – End of old EV1 system

Excursion Approvals are moving to a new home – http://midvisits.org.uk

All schools will be fully on the system for Dec 2015 – the old EV1 system will be retired!In August schools that are currently not on the system will be contacted to arrange access to Midvisits/EVOLVE (many additional schools have already been in touch to join since the launch)

The system is simple and effective to use , however a series of training sessions letting you get the best out of the Midvisits system have now been arranged to help with the transition. The details are available at the link below;

Providing regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities is a key aim of the curriculum for excellence

SAAF (Scottish Adventure Activities Forum) has now published its final report and recommendations as a result of recent consultation with providers and stakeholders involved in adventure education and outdoor learning. It highlights and recommends to Scottish Government, a need for review and change in a number of key areas of adventure activities licensing;

Licensed activities

Registration

Cost and duration of license

Inspection and best practice

Opting in

Cross border arrangements

Review of licensing

While our schools and educational establishment will need no action at this point, while Ministers respond the review has the potential to influence the management and quality of adventurous activity for all our young people.

At the Outdoor Learning Service we will continue to support the review by our attendance at SAAF on behalf of SAPOE and believe the review is an opportunity to improve quality and standards within the outdoor arena and as SAAF note;

“Adventurous activities prepare a wide range of age groups for their own challenges, stimulate a passion for the outdoors and develop a thirst for learning. Therefore it is important to reflect all of these aspects within any legislation that may be produced to govern adventurous activities in Scotland and at the same time capture the spirit of Scotland’s wild places.”

We will keep our education establishments up to date as and when Scotgov respond. Meanwhile keep going out there!!

We are holding a demonstration event of the new EVOLVE system on the 24th Feb 2015 and representatives from Midlothian Council Educational Establishments are invited to attend.

This new system for Midlothian establishments will replace the current EV1 system. This system will change how educational and community establishments plan, manage report and evaluate off site activity. It’s designed to remove barriers and adopt a low bureaucracy approach to all offsite visits. This will result in more visits!!

Delegates will be able to nominate their establishment to join the pilot phase of the system during attendance on the 24th.

We look forward to seeing you then – Slides from the recent meetings with more details can be found by clicking on image above. Further information is also available on the EVOLVE system at the Edufocus website.

Within our schools and educational establishments we are all aware of the amazing benefits of engaging with outdoor experiential learning and adventurous activity, and the positive and powerful experiences and outcomes that can be realised by our learners.

This month there is an opportunity to get involved in a series of consultations on the future of how this activity is managed and the licensing of adventurous activities (AALA) within Scotland.

SAAF (SCOTTISH ADVENTURE ACTIVITY FORUM, tasked by ScotGov) are keen to hear from all interested parties on this important initiative.

The briefing paper available at the SAAF website outlines the consultation process which will invite all stakeholders operating in Scotland to give their views about a range of matters, including;

1.Reviewing the definition of adventure activities 2.Identifying any activities which should also be included in the regulations 3.What could be added to or taken out of the 2004 Regulations 4.Identifying any textual or factual changes required to simplify or clarify the wording of the current Regulations 5.How can the scheme be “future-proofed” as the adventure activity sector evolves 6.How can those who want to “opt in” be accommodated 7.How “cross-border” arrangements can work effectively across the UK

Although Licensing requirements generally only apply to those organisations that provide activities in return for payment,the outcomes from consultation will influence how we manage and deliver Adventurous activities within our own Local Authority and the potential to influence activity enablement and quality.

Its an exciting time to get involved as it may contribute to the evolving nature and future Outdoor Learning within our Educational arena.

Twitter

Midvisits

Links

Going out there

Midlothian Grid For Learning

Institute for Outdoor Learning

Midlothian Council

NNAS

Glow login

Licensing

Midlothian Council Outdoor Learning Service is registered with the Adventure Licensing Service to provide;
Climbing
Trekking
Watersports
License No: R1370
License details can be confirmed by contacting the Licensing Service Tel: 029 2075 5715